Dorothy Bitsilly, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and advocate for the Navajo People passed on from this life on February 23rd, 2022 at the age of 93.
Mom, Grandma, or Grandmom as she was known to us, was Tábąąhá (Water's Edge Clan), born for Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water Clan). Her maternal grandfather was Táchii'nii (Red Running into the Water People Clan) and her paternal grandfather was Naakai dine'é (The Mexican Clan). She is originally from Tohatchi, NM, and was born on September 28th, 1928.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Guy Bitsilly Sr., and her eldest son, Guy Bitsilly Jr. and survived by her sister, Cora Joe, and her children, Doris Clyde, Virginia Harvey, JoAnne Jayne, Preston Bitsilly, Dianna Robinson, Elvis Guy Bitsilly, Josephine Bitsilly, Jules Bitsilly, Delphine Bitsilly, and Daryl Bitsilly.
Dorothy has 21 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She leaves behind a legacy passed onto her family which is centered on love, compassion, service, and duty. After raising her family, she set out to advocate for her Navajo People at the local and state level. She was a fierce leader in New Mexico and on the Navajo Reservation. She served over 30 years as a Bureau of Indian Affairs education liaison, was the Vice President of the Fort Defiance Agency Council on Aging, and the Navajo Nation representative to the New Mexico Aging Advisory Policy group. She proudly served her community as the president of the Red Willow Farm Board for many years. During her lifetime, she was recognized as Shí Masani of the Navajo Nation from 2006-2007, received the 2020 Community Lifetime Achievement in Excellence Award, and the ‘Farm to Table’ 2020 Farmer of the Year honor.
Having not grown up with much, she always loved dressing her best and would frequently buy new clothes, especially shoes. You could always count on Mom to look her absolute best, even if it was a short trip to town. She loved to host the Bitsilly family reunion at her Tohatchi home every summer. She created this annual event for young relatives and elders to gather, tell stories, laugh, eat, line dance, and play games; she made sure the family embraced each other. She loved to support local sports teams, especially the Tohatchi High School Lady Cougars. She was able to witness them win the 2017 New Mexico State Basketball Championship. Having a sharp wit, she was always ready for a laugh and had no problem letting you know what was on her mind.
Mom, Grandma, Grandmom, we love you and we will miss you dearly. We will remember you in our prayers and in our hearts as we strive to uplift and build upon the legacy and foundation that you have established for our family. Until we see you again.
Services for Dorothy will be held on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022. Flower arrangements can be ordered and monetary donations can be sent to the Cope Memorial Mortuary in Gallup, NM. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the family will also be accepting donations through this GoFundMe page.
We, the Bitsilly family, would like to express our gratitude for the support and love we have received during this difficult time. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are much appreciated by our family.
Mom, Grandma, or Grandmom as she was known to us, was Tábąąhá (Water's Edge Clan), born for Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water Clan). Her maternal grandfather was Táchii'nii (Red Running into the Water People Clan) and her paternal grandfather was Naakai dine'é (The Mexican Clan). She is originally from Tohatchi, NM, and was born on September 28th, 1928.Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Guy Bitsilly Sr., and her eldest son, Guy Bitsilly Jr. and survived by her sister, Cora Joe, and her children, Doris Clyde, Virginia Harvey, JoAnne Jayne, Preston Bitsilly, Dianna Robinson, Elvis Guy Bitsilly, Josephine Bitsilly, Jules Bitsilly, Delphine Bitsilly, and Daryl Bitsilly.
Dorothy has 21 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She leaves behind a legacy passed onto her family which is centered on love, compassion, service, and duty. After raising her family, she set out to advocate for her Navajo People at the local and state level. She was a fierce leader in New Mexico and on the Navajo Reservation. She served over 30 years as a Bureau of Indian Affairs education liaison, was the Vice President of the Fort Defiance Agency Council on Aging, and the Navajo Nation representative to the New Mexico Aging Advisory Policy group. She proudly served her community as the president of the Red Willow Farm Board for many years. During her lifetime, she was recognized as Shí Masani of the Navajo Nation from 2006-2007, received the 2020 Community Lifetime Achievement in Excellence Award, and the ‘Farm to Table’ 2020 Farmer of the Year honor. Having not grown up with much, she always loved dressing her best and would frequently buy new clothes, especially shoes. You could always count on Mom to look her absolute best, even if it was a short trip to town. She loved to host the Bitsilly family reunion at her Tohatchi home every summer. She created this annual event for young relatives and elders to gather, tell stories, laugh, eat, line dance, and play games; she made sure the family embraced each other. She loved to support local sports teams, especially the Tohatchi High School Lady Cougars. She was able to witness them win the 2017 New Mexico State Basketball Championship. Having a sharp wit, she was always ready for a laugh and had no problem letting you know what was on her mind. Mom, Grandma, Grandmom, we love you and we will miss you dearly. We will remember you in our prayers and in our hearts as we strive to uplift and build upon the legacy and foundation that you have established for our family. Until we see you again.
Services for Dorothy will be held on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022. Flower arrangements can be ordered and monetary donations can be sent to the Cope Memorial Mortuary in Gallup, NM. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the family will also be accepting donations through this GoFundMe page.We, the Bitsilly family, would like to express our gratitude for the support and love we have received during this difficult time. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are much appreciated by our family.
Organizer and beneficiary
Delphine Bitsilly
Beneficiary